The Masters snooker 2025: FULL schedule and results as Ronnie O’Sullivan WITHDRAWS on ‘medical grounds’

THE Masters returns to the iconic Alexandra Palace this weekend – but Ronnie O’Sullivan will NOT be playing after a late withdrawal.

Last year, O’Sullivan claimed a record-extending eighth title in the iconic Triple Crown event after Rocket came from behind to beat Ali Carter 10-7 in a thrilling final.

But he will not be defending his crown after withdrawing “on medical grounds,” according to a WST statement – he will be replaced by Neil Robertson.

The top 16 players in the world rankings at the end of the UK Championship are invited to compete in one of the sport‘s most prestigious tournaments.

In 2025, the prize money on offer has surged to over £1million, with the winner taking home a cool £350,000.

SunSport brings you all the information you need ahead of this year’s Masters.

When is the Masters 2025?

• The Masters 2025 will begin on Sunday, January 12.
• The second Triple Crown event of the year will run until Sunday, January 19.
• London’s Alexandra Palace will host once again.

What TV channel is the Masters 2025 on and can it be live streamed FREE?

• The Masters 2025 will be broadcast LIVE on both Eurosport and the BBC.
• Eurosport customers can live stream all the action via the discovery+ app/website, while fans can also catch all the huge event for FREE on the BBC iPlayer.
• Alternatively, SunSport’s live blog of the Masters 2025 will bring you frame-by-frame updates from every match.

Why isn’t Ronnie O’Sullivan playing at the Masters 2025?

Just two days before the start of the Ronnie O’Sullivan withdrew.

He was due to face John Higgins in the opening match of the tournament on Sunday night.

He has “withdrawn on medical grounds,” read a statement from the World Snooker Tour.

He is replaced by Neil Robertson, who was ranked 17th in the world at the cut-off point after the UK Championship.

O’Sullivan has suffered for form in recent weeks and suffered three consecutive defeats in the non-ranking Championship League in Leicester.

The Rocket won a fourth and final game on Wednesday but was then seen smashing his cue on the table multiple times during a 3-2 loss to Robert Milkins on Thursday morning.

O’Sullivan then withdrew from that tournament.

Masters 2025 schedule and draw

Here is the full draw for the opening round and the schedule for the latter stages:

All matches are best of 11 frames until the final, which is the best of 19.

Sunday, January 12
Afternoon session (1pm GMT)

• Neil Robertson vs John Higgins (R1)

Evening session (7pm)

• Shaun Murphy vs Gary Wilson (R1)

Monday, January 13
Afternoon session (1pm)

• Mark Williams vs Ding Junhui (R1)

Evening session (7pm)

• Mark Selby vs Ali Carter (R1)

Tuesday, January 14
Afternoon session (1pm)

• Judd Trump vs Barry Hawkins (R1)

Evening session (7pm)

• Mark Allen vs Si Jiahui (R1)

Wednesday, January 15
Afternoon session (1pm)

• Kyren Wilson vs Zhang Anda

Evening session (7pm GMT)

• Luca Brecel vs Chris Wakelin

Quarter-finals

Thursday, January 16

• 1pm: QF3 
• 7pm: QF4 

Friday, January 17

• 1pm: QF1 
• 7pm: QF2 

Semi-finals

Saturday, January 18

• 1pm: Winner of QF3 v Winner of QF4
• 7pm: Winner of QF1 v Winner of QF2

Final

Sunday, January 19

• 1pm and 7pm